Keys for tuning string -instrum ents



(No Model.)

J. SINGER. Keys for Tuning String Instruments.

No. 234,642. Patented Nov. 16,1880.

Figzli'.

INVENTOH.

UNITED STATES PATENT @rricn.

JOSEPH SINGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

KEYS FOR TUNING STRING-INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,642, dated November16, 1880.

Application filed March 12, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, JOSEPH SINGER, of Ghicago, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented an Improvement in Tuning- Keys forStringed Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

The nature of my invention relates to new and useful improvements inthat class of keys around which the end of the strings or wires ofstringed musical instruments are secured, and by which said strings arebrought by turning such keys to the desired musical tone.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the parts andtheir various combinations, as more fully hereinafterdescribed.

Figure 1 is a view of the shaft or key proper and the head, both ofwhich may be made in one piece, or, if desired, in two pieces, which areafterward secured together. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a violin-headwith my key in position. Fig. 3 shows a key slightly differing from thatin Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detached view of the washer.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Drepresents a key of the ordinary description commonly employed inviolins, (consisting ofa head or thumb-piece, by means of which the keyis turned, and a tapered shaft,) excepting that adjacent to the hole inthe key through which the string passes there is turned or cut thegroove 0, upon which to wind the string. This groove allows of a greaterdelicacy of movement, requires less effort in turning, and prevents thestring from bending or chafing against the inner faces of the recessedhead of the instrument by causing the string to sink into the groove.The shaft of the key tapers from the thumb-piece, and is to be insertedas in the ordinary way in the key-holes in the ribs which form the sidesof the recess of the violin-head, so that the recess and groove will bewithin such reoess. The smaller end of the shaft D is threaded, and hasa longitudinal groove, E, cut the length of the threaded portion, and awasher, F, slides over this part, a tongue on said washer engaging withsaid last-mentioned groove, and a thumb-nut, G, is provided to engagewith the thread on the shaft, for the purpose hereinafter described. Theshaft (N0 model.)

should be tapered sufliciently to enable it to be used by pressing itendwise into its bearings in the manner of the ordinary tapered key.

The shaft is made of metal, and preferably much smaller in diameter thanthe wooden key usually employed, and as all stringed instruments areprovided with key-holes to receive such wooden keys my shaft would notfit such key-holes, consequently I employ the bushings H or smallcylindrical boxes shown in Fig. 2. These are flanged at one end, asshown, so that they may be pressed into the key-holes only so far as theflange will permit without any other mode of fastening. These bushingsperform a twofold officeto wit, that of providing a more perfectfrictional surface for the shaft and that of preventing all wear to theinstrument itself.

The bushing or box fitting the larger end of the key may be made longenough to produce all'necessary friction to support the tension of thestring, thus dispensing with the necessity of the internal taper of thesmaller bushing. By so doing the adjustment of the key in its bearingsis much simplified.

In practice the'bushin gs are tightly pressed to place in theirrespective key-holes. The shaft is then inserted and the washer andthumb-nut adjusted to place. By crowding the key into the taperedbushing it is made stationary at a point of friction sufficient to holdthe string at the highest tension ever demanded. The thumb nut is thenscrewed tightly against the washer. In turning the key the washer andthumb-nut rotate with it, (the groove in the shaft and tongue on thewasher, or other known mechanical means, being employed for thispurpose,) and the necessary friction before secured can be thusmaintained.

I make no claim in this case to the flanged bushings, as I have claimedthem in another application now pending.

lVhat I claim as my invention is 1. A tapered key for tuning stringedinstruments, whereby the required tension is obtained, in the ordinarymanner, by the friction of the key within its bearings, provided with anut and washer on its smaller end, for

the purpose of retaining the friction t us obupon the key, said hole andgroove being, tained, substantially as described. where the key is inuse, within the recessed r0 2. In a tapered key for tuning stringedinhead of the instrument, substantially as specistruments, the ends ofwhich are supported fied.

5 in bearings inthe ribs which form the recessed JOSEPH SINGER.

head of the instrument, a hole through which Witnesses: the end of thestring passes, and adjacent ERWIN MAAOK,

thereto a groove to receive the string wound AUGUSTUS WEIHE.

